"Ah, we're of different generations, you silly child. I am your mother, don't you recognize me?" Old Madam Qing chided.
Shen Liannuo's red lips curved into a smile. "Mom, come, Yu Ying will toast you. Wishing you boundless fortune like the East Sea."
"Oh, hahaha, it's still my dear daughter who's the best," Old Madam Qing was delighted, her aged hands holding Shen Liannuo's, brimming with joy.
This scene, witnessed by everyone, was both poignant and heartwarming.
Yet, amidst the crowd, only Qiao Ziqian sat alone in a corner, quietly eating, minimizing his presence.
"Qiao Ziqian, have some juice."
Meng Jingwei noticed Qiao Ziqian's head bowed in eating and poured him a glass of juice. "Don't choke."
Qiao Ziqian's hand, gripping his chopsticks, froze for a moment before he looked up. His face beamed with a bright smile. "Hehehe, thank you, Xingxing."
Just then, the phone in Meng Jingwei's pocket rang.
She took out her phone to see it was Tang Si calling.
Subconsciously, she glanced towards the direction outside the living room, sensing something was amiss. She answered the call, "What's wrong?"
"Something's happened. Ran Bao'er might be in trouble. I couldn't get her on the phone earlier. Then, the subordinate I assigned to look after Ran Bao'er called to say he was tracking her but lost her. He also discovered suspicious vehicles tailing their car."
Tang Si explained the situation and added, "I'm leaving now. Tell them."
"Mhmm, okay."
Meng Jingwei didn't say more and hung up.
The atmosphere in the restaurant remained lively. Meng Jingwei sat down and said to her adoptive parents, "Dad, Mom, please continue eating. I have some company matters to attend to. I need to go with Yan Ming ge and Old Han."
As she spoke, Meng Jingwei exchanged a glance with them and looked at Shen Liannuo.
Shen Liannuo understood immediately. "Something's up, hahaha, take me along."
"Alright, if you have something to do, then go," Du Juan nodded.
The banquet was nearing its end, their departure now wouldn't cause any disruption.
Meng Tianhua asked worriedly, "Did something major happen?"
"No, just minor things. But A Ye isn't here, so I need Yan Ming ge and Old Han to help me," Meng Jingwei explained with a smile, then got up. "We're leaving now."
"Uncle and Aunt, please continue eating. We're off."
"Uncle and Aunt, I'll visit again another day."
"We're leaving, thank you for your hospitality."
Meng Jingwei, Shen Liannuo, Lu Yanming, and Han Yu all stood up and left.
Meng Tianhua and his wife saw the four of them out of the living room. Suddenly, Meng Tianhua asked, "Where's Tang Si?"
"Oh, he's in the car," Meng Jingwei casually fabricated a clumsy excuse.
"Alright, take care."
Du Juan waved her hand.
The group left, holding their umbrellas, got into their respective cars. Meng Jingwei handed Tang Si's car keys to Han Yu. "You drive his car."
To avoid worrying the elderly couple, Meng Jingwei dared not say anything more.
As they departed, Lu Yanming and Shen Liannuo left in Tang Si's car, while Meng Jingwei rode in a separate car with Han Yu.
Lan Cheng was gloomy today, with intermittent downpours and drizzles.
Han Yu drove, then asked Meng Jingwei, tilting his head, "Did something happen to Tang Si?" If nothing had happened, Meng Jingwei wouldn't have taken them away mid-way.
"It's Shi Ran."
Meng Jingwei answered Han Yu while using her phone to call Lu Yanming.
The phone rang twice before the other party answered, "What exactly is going on?"
Both parties had their phones on speakerphone.